Plastic debris in the stomach of a Longman’s Beaked Whale, Indopacetus pacificus (Longman, 1926) stranded off Sutrapada, Veraval, Saurashtra coast, India

Abstract

Longman’s beaked whale or the Indo- Pacific beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus) is a rarely occurring whale with very poor information on sighting or stranding, though more common in western Indian Ocean region. Threat to marine fauna from the ingestion of plastic carry bags and other non-biodegradable debris scattered on the ocean surface and at the seafloor is increasing at alarming proportions. This communication describes the stranded adult female Longman’s beaked whale near off Sutrapada, Veraval, Gujarat coast that has presumably been choked to death due to the ingestion of four thick plastic bags, which was revealed from the autopsy conducted by the Gujarat Forest Department and the Wildlife Treatment Centre, Sasan Gir, Gujarat.